The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers play tonight in Penticton as part of Vancouver's Young Stars Tournament. However, the Oilers will be sitting three of the highest profile players at the tournament, as Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Magnus Paajarvi will not play.

The Oilers had planned to play the trio for only two of the three games in Penticton, so those three will instead play against San Jose's prospects. The decision probably makes some Flames fans sour, as many were excited to see the trio play against their provincial rivals.

The Flames took an 8-4 win over Anaheim prospects last night, a game where Calgary's more experienced roster won the day. Gametime tonight is 8:30 pm on www.calgaryflames.com and www.fan960.com. The Flames finish off their tournament on Thursday.

Pat Steinberg can be heard daily on the Fan960 in Calgary at can be read at the FAN 960. Born and raised in Calgary, Steinberg considers himself a huge fan of all sports including the CFL, MMA and 13 round bare knuckle boxing matches. Follow Steinberg on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Fan960Steinberg.

why would they want to put their best against the sharks and not their provincial rival?

Don't want them to play two games in a row? That's the best I got. Meh, we'll get to see them plenty this year I'm sure. Although, it does basically reduces my desire to watch a crappy internet feed hockey game down to zilch.

Speaking of watching games, wifey bought us tickets right behind the 'Nucks bench for my birthday on September 21. I haven't gotten that close to ice level since Gretzky was an LA King, so I'm pretty stoked (even if it is just a preseason home-an-home split roster).

Lucky I got tickets for the Edmonton pre-season game from my student association at SAIT so i'm sure I will get to see them there but I will be way up in the top :(. They (baby grease) did have a day between their games so I don't see what the huge deal is about playing 2 in a row.

I don't have high expecations for Backlund in this little tourny. Not that he doesn't have the capability to destroy these kids, but I don't think he wants to go too hard (injury risk, etc) in something where he's on a level above the rest of the players. If he really has improved his consistency and so forth, we'll see it in camp and preseason.

Negrin and Brodie have real skill at walking the line. That's not an everyday thing.

Yes. And Brodie's play where he skated the puck through the neutral zone, shot it in, and then was the first Flame on the forecheck was veteran stuff because he managed to get back into position without issue.

Yes. And Brodie's play where he skated the puck through the neutral zone, shot it in, and then was the first Flame on the forecheck was veteran stuff because he managed to get back into position without issue.

Skate, yes. It helps to have the presence of mind though. Andrew Ference can skate, but he used to drive me nuts with his decision making. He'd try the same play, except somehow get caught up ice all the time.